CHEDWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th AUGUST 2007

 

PRESENT:  Mrs S Moore (Chairman) Miss L Gallagher, Mr D Broad,

Mr P Cundick, Mr A Priest and Mrs E Broad (Clerk).

 

APOLOGIES;  Mr A Miles and Mr T Watt.

 

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES;  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 9th July 2007, were agreed and signed as a true record.

 

VISIT FROM LAURA MILLS, RURAL HOUSING ENABLER GRCC:  The Chairman welcomed Miss Mills, it was agreed to open the meeting to allow members of the public present to speak.  Several members of the public and Councillors spoke and gave their views.  When Council reconvened and after some discussion it was agreed that as there were differences of opinion to gather facts for further consideration at the next meeting.  The Chairman thanked Miss Mills for attending.

 

MATTERS ARISING;

 

Footpaths:  A letter had been received from Mrs White stating she did not own the footpaths in question in the vicinity of the Calmsden Road.  Mr Priest agreed to walk the path to assess its condition. The Grass Keep field had been cut but the copse leading to the stile into the field was still overgrown, the Chairman and Mr Priest agreed to clear it.  The ownership of the path from Hemplands Hill to Old Pastures was not known. The Chairman agreed to try to establish who owned it as it was very overgrown.  The Chairman had spoken to Mr Jenks in May regarding the overgrown Bridleway KCH 12 on his land.  Nothing had been done so it was agreed to write to Mr Jenks regarding this.

 

Grass Verge, Hedge and Tree Cutting:  A reply had been received from Mrs Clarke stating that they would be willing to spray the area at the top of Tuns Hill.  The Chairman agreed to seek advice on the right chemicals and obtain some on our behalf.  It was reported that the roadside verge at the end of Horses Ash Lane was being used to dump building materials from Hills Farm, the Chairman agreed to speak to Mr England and ask him to remove these.  A reply had been received from Mr Finch stating that the roadside verge along Fields Road belonged to the Highway Authority.  The Hedge along the Yanworth Road at Fossebridge was still overgrown. The Chairman had put a note though Mr and Mrs Gurnham’s door following up our letter to them in May asking them to cut it back. 

 

Playing Field:  An email had been received from Mr Paul Cooper asking if the PC would be interested in a “Give Us Back Our Game” football coaching event on the Playing Field.  As Mr Cooper stated he had been in communications with Mr Watt, it was agreed to defer until next month.

 

Chairman……………………………………..

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th AUGUST 2007 – Page 2.

 

Play Area:  Nothing further.

 

Parking in the Village:  It was reported that Mr Flagg had arranged to have the posts reinstated at The Hemplands.  It was agreed to email and thank him.  The problem of parking on the junction at the bottom of Hemplands Hill by contactors working at High Gables was raised.  It was agreed to see if it was still a problem next month.

 

Traffic in the Village and Road Matters:  The subsidence in the road by the Old Pumping Station opposite The Rookery was raised.  This was in the hands of GCC Highways.  Also potholes at the bottom of School Hill and outside Mr Bowley’s house were identified.  It was agreed to email Mr Flagg regarding these.

 

Communication between Parish Council and the Public:  Nothing further.

 

The Grass Keep Field:   Several alternative uses were discussed for the Grass Keep Field.  As no reply had been received to our letter to the School Governors’, it was agreed to write again asking for confirmation in writing that they do not wish to use the site before consideration could be given to other projects.  The water bill had been received but as it was for standing charge only, it was agreed to ask Mr Beach to pay it in February as usual.  The Clerk pointed out that the Grass Keep Tenancy expires at the end of April 2007 and six months notice should be given to the tenant as to the intention to renew or not.

 

Tennis Courts:  The Chairman had been approached by the HVLTC asking for the Parish Council’s views on some extra Tennis Courts.  As consideration was being given to the future of the Grass Keep Field it was agreed to consider further at a later date. The Clerk reported that no payment of the annual ground rent had been  received from HVLTC.  It was agreed to chase this as it was usually paid in July.  The Clerk also pointed out that according to the lease a five year rent review was also required.  It was agreed to implement this next year.

 

Chedworth Stream Project:  Agreed to remove from the agenda.

 

Dog Fouling:  Nothing further.

 

Parish Plan:  Miss Gallagher gave an update.

 

Bus Stop at Fossebridge:  An email had been received from GCC explaining the background and stating why a bus stop could not be placed at the bottom of the hill.  It was agreed to hold this in abeyance at the moment.

 

Tuns Hill Waterfall:  Several emails from residents in Queen Street had been received.  The drains had now been cleared out by GCC.

 

Youth Council:  A successful consultation had been undertaken by the Parish Plan and interest had been shown.  Miss Gallagher agreed to circulate the consultation document from Ms Dowan at CDC.

Chairman…………………………….

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th AUGUST 2007 – Page 3.

 

Lower End Graveyard Gate:  An estimate for £65.00 plus VAT had been received from Mr Dickenson.  The Chairman had obtained an alternative quote of £50.00.  After some discussion the Chairman agreed to ask Mr Dickenson to revise his quote but if not to go ahead with getting the gate fixed.

 

Code of Conduct:  An email had been received from the Standards Board asking for details of our principal authority and the date the code was adopted.  The Clerk would inform them of this.  A letter had been received from the Monitoring Officer at CDC with information of the Code of Conduct.  It was agreed to reply to CDC stating the code had already been adopted by Chedworth Parish Council in May including paragraph 12(2).

 

PLANNING;

 

CD Contr. 3187 Hawks Lane House – Tree Works – No objection.

CD 2384/E St Andrews School – Amendment – No objection.

CD 2065/1/D Hornbeams – Windows – No objection.

CD 1795/A Green Lane Cottage – Extension – Objection.

CD Contr. 3199 Field Cottage – Tree Works – No objection.

CD Contr. 3210 Railway Cottage – Tree Works – No objection.

CD 8739/C Land Adjacent to Winster House – Dwelling (Revised Scheme) – The applicants’ agent was present and it was agreed to open the meeting to allow him to explain the application.  Mr Adey answered Councillor’s queries.  When Council reconvened two proposals were put on the table.  It was proposed by Mr Priest and seconded by Mr Cundick to raise no objection. It was proposed from the Chair and seconded by Miss Gallagher to object on the grounds that the proposed scheme was too large and takes no account of the considerable effort expended during lengthy deliberations resulting finally in approval for the original application for a modest dwelling on this site.  A vote was taken and the Chairman’s proposal to object was agreed 2 votes against, 3 votes for (including the Chairman’s casting vote) with one abstention from Cllr. Broad.

CD Contr. 3219 Chelbo Tipans – Tree Works – No objection.

 

Approval:

 

CD 3596/D West House – Conservatory & Alterations

CD Contr. 3169 Willow Bank - Tree Works

CD 7396/K York House – L.B. Consent

CD 7396/L York House – Alterations

CD Contr. 3159 Wadleys Paddock – Tree Works

CD Contr. 3155 Calves Hill House – Tree Works

 

Appeal Dismissal

 

CD 2118/P Janes Cottage – Change of Use of Paddock

 

 

Chairman…………………………………………

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th AUGUST 2007- Page 4.

 

Local Inquiry:

 

CD 2065/1/B Cedarwood – Certificate of Lawful Use – Held on 7th August 2007.

 

Other Planning Matters:  As no response had been received from CDC to our letter regarding the planning applications being sent via email.  The Clerk reported that she had received a message from Mr Carl Jones at CDC asking to discuss the Council’s concerns.  It was agreed to invite Mr Jones or a member of the planning department to our next meeting.

 

CDC Cotswold District Core Strategy:  Agreed to display on the notice boards.

 

Consultation on Future Plans for Chedworth Roman Villa:  The Chairman and Mr Broad had both attended.  It was agreed to write to the National Trust thanking them for inviting us and supporting the project.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL;

 

Flooding:  A consultation on flooding in the village had taken place before the start of the meeting.  This had been attended by several parishioners.  Mr Broad had got some of his CDC consultation forms completed.

 

FINANCE:

 

1.    Clerks Quarterly Telephone £24.20, prop. A Priest, sec. S Moore.

2.    Mr A Dean (Strimming) £185.25, prop. S Moore, sec. A Priest.

3.    Stamps £12.00, prop. S Moore, sec. A Priest.

4.    P Dickenson (Stile Repairs) Retrospective £52.88, prop. S Moore, sec.

5.    L Gallagher.

5.   Moore Stephens (Audit) £58.75, prop. A Priest, sec. S Moore.

6.   Thames Water £5.57, prop. S Moore, sec. L Gallagher.

7.   Notification of Completion of 2006/07 Audit – a notice had been displayed  

      advertising the closure of the audit. It was noted that the audit had been a lot

      cheaper this year.  The Clerk was thanked by the Chairman for her work on

      the audit.  A note from the auditors drew attention for the need to ensure that

      internal financial controls are fully documented and periodically reviewed.  Mr 

      Cundick was asked to prepare a short report proposing a mechanism for this  

      procedure.

 

CORRESPONDENCE;

 

Village Agents Information:  Noted.

 

Gloucestershire Rural Economic Strategy 2007 – 2015:  Noted.

 

GCC Gloucestershire Charter:  Noted.

 

Chairman……………………………….

MINUTES – PARISH COUNCIL MEETING – 20th AUGUST 2007- Page 5.

 

Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine:  Noted.

 

GCC Speed Management Conference – Cancelled due to be re-arranged:  Noted.

 

GCC Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy:  Miss Gallagher would look at this.

 

GCC Housing Issues Event – Re-arranged to 19th September:  Noted.

 

CDC Draft Licensing Policy Letter:  Noted.

 

GCC 6th Annual Highway Maintenance and Transport Seminar:  Noted.

 

CDC Tree Warden Scheme Information:  The Chairman would reply to the letter.

 

GCC Flood Damage to PROW:   Noted.

 

GCC Highway and Transport – Post Flooding Assessments:  It was agreed to reply to Mr Waddington, Cabinet Member, stating that Cirencester Highway’s office were extremely helpful in getting problems sorted out.

 

South Cotswold Community and Police Area Meeting – 29th August:  Noted.

 

Cotswold Local Strategic Partnership Conference – 26th September:  Noted.

 

GRCC AGM and Information:  Noted.

 

SWRA Review of Additional Pitch Requirements for Gypsies and Travellers:  Noted.

 

GCC Flooding Crisis in Gloucestershire Letter:  Noted.

 

Environment Agency Flood Drop in Sessions:  Noted.

 

OTHER BUSINESS;

 

Items Arising from E-mails: Nothing further except what was discussed earlier on the agenda.

 

Items for Hill and Valley:  Some items were identified.

 

2008 Proposed Meeting Dates:  Agreed to consider again next month.

 

The meeting concluded at 10.05 pm.

 

NEXT MEETING:  Monday 17th September 2007 at 7.30 pm.

 

Chairman…………………………..Date………………………….